Indonesia, National Flag, Army Chief of Staff and Indonesian Army
Chief of Staff Automobile Flag. ...

Description

Indonesia, National Flag, Army Chief of Staff and Indonesian
Army Chief of Staff Automobile Flag. Indonesia had been a
colony of the Netherlands prior to WWII. Occupied by Japan, they
fought a sustained guerrilla war against the Japanese Army
throughout the archipelago. The national flag was officially
introduced and hoisted publicly during the Proclamation of
Indonesian Independence on August 17, 1945. The red color
represents the body and physical life while the white is for the
soul and spiritual life. President Sukarno said of the flag, "Red
is the symbol of courage, White is the symbol of purity. Our flag
has been there for 600 years."

The flag's colors are derived from banners used by 13th century
Majapahit Empire and were revived by in the early 20th century by
students as an expression of nationalism against the Dutch. The
modern red and white fla which was first flown in Java in 1928, was
prohibited under Dutch rule, but was utilized by Indonesian
guerrillas during WWII. Within a week of the Japanese surrender the
former guerillas formed the Indonesian regular army.

The Indonesian national flag is a 72" X 111", machine sewn, wool
bunting, bi-color flag finished with a roped canvas header and
finished with a top loop and a bottom lead line. The flag is
marked, in English, on the lower obverse hoist, "Indonesia, C of
Staff" and "C of STAFF."

The Chief of Staff auto flag is a 9" X 14", wool, double faced
automobile flag with a gold tone leatherette five-point star sewn
to each side of a yellow field. It is fringed with a dark green
silk fringe on three sides and finished with a hoist to which are
sewn three cotton ties. The flag is marked on the reverse upper
hoist, "C of Staff Indonesia."

This are very early Indonesian flags. While the national colors
have always been red and white, the colors of the Indonesian Army
colors have been gold and green since their beginnings. The gold
star represents the army and is a symbol of high aspirations. The
green represents the natural beauty and vegetation of Indonesia,
which the army will defend.

Immediately after the Japanese surrender, Indonesia struggled to
disband the command structure of the occupying Japanese and replace
it with their own. This the new Indonesian Army was formed from
younger, less trained groups built around charismatic leaders
rather than from a trained, armed, and organized army. Thus, the
role of the new Chief-of-Staff was vital as Indonesia struggled to
merge guerilla soldiers with both Japanese and Dutch trained
Indonesian officers.

These flags came directly from Major Soemantri, secretary, Office
of the Indonesian General Staff in 1956. And would make a welcome
addition to any collection of Indonesian militaria.

Condition: These flags are in good condition. They are used, worn,
and soiled, but otherwise complete.

This flag was formerly in the collection of Dr. Clarence Rungee,
and is accompanied by his original museum inventory sheet with
identifying information.

Auction Info

Auction Dates

June, 2020

6thSaturday

Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 1

Lot Tracking Activity: N/A

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